Meet Fred Weary | Youth Character, Leadership Development, and Sports Performance

We had the good fortune of connecting with Fred Weary and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Fred, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
MADLINEMAN strongly believes the majority of all football games are won or lost from battles, IN THE TRENCHES. However, In the Trenches of Life, we are losing the majority of the battles our youth face in inner city communities from: high dropout rates, childhood obesity problems, and poor funding for youth and high school football programs. Throughout my Collegiate/NFL career, I have seen firsthand that some of the finest athletes come from all walks of life. As a former student-athlete and NFL lineman, I want to communicate the importance of character development, leadership skills, health/fitness, and most importantly; scholastic goal setting/achievement. The MADLINEMAN primary initiative stems from personal experiences throughout, my youth and NFL career. The MADLINEMAN provides a nurturing learning environment for offensive and defensive linemen to work on fundamentals and techniques of the game. MADLINEMAN is committed to fostering diversity. We respect any differences in culture, age, race, ethnicity, physical ability, and religious affiliation.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a retired 8-year NFL veteran and I’ve worked in the community helping our youth through youth football camps, sports performance training, youth football league, and teaching. I’ve taught Teen Leadership in the middle school and got a chance to inspire the youth whom were in my class. I try my best to relay the right message to our youth about what it takes to be successful in life.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Houston is a phenomenal city to live in. It’s often considered the city that visitors can’t stay away from. There are so many things to do in Houston: Texans Football games are a great time!!! Some of the best restaurants are in Houston that offers many different taste, Pappadeaux, Pappas Burgers, Willie G’s, Maestro’s, Maggiano’s Italian Restaurant, Vic and Anthony’s to name a few. The Galleria area is a must see for upscale shopping and fun with the family. One of the best hotel experience is the Post Oak Hotel located in the Galleria. Talk about 5-Star treatment, ou’ll be taken away by the Post Oak Hotel

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The Youth is my main focus with the MADLINEMAN Foundation. MADLINEMAN believes whole-heartedly that the access to sports and athletics improves outcomes for at-risk youth. As we utilize the platform of sports and athletics, we stress to our youth that there is much more than just winning the game. Our program connects the experiences on the field to bigger life lessons. The nine core values that the MADLINEMAN program espouses with its sports-performance training are: integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy, and judgement. These are the things that last beyond the game.

Website: www.madlineman.org, www.scyfa.org

Image Credits
MADLINEMAN Youth Football Camp